Electronic device and icon changing method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an apparatus capable of changing an icon representing an electronic device and held by the electronic device to an icon selected by the user. The apparatus inquires to the user whether or not an icon X in a unit space may be changed to an icon A as the icon selected by the user. If the icon X is changed to the icon A, the icon A is readout from an icon memory  104 , and the icon X in the unit space is changed to the icon A.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an icon of electronic device such as a digital video camera, a digital camera and the like.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] A remote control system for remotely controlling a conventional 1394 device 800 will be explained with reference to FIG. 8.

[0005] The 1394 device 800 is an apparatus having a digital interface 801 conforming to IEEE Std 1394-1995, and a memory 802 for storing information within a register space 803 stipulated by ISO/IEC 13213:1994.

[0006] The register space 803 is divided into a CSR architecture registers 8031, a bus-dependent registers 8032, a configuration ROM 8033 and a unit space 8034. These areas can be accessed by other 1394 devices so long as the areas are not limited by the 1394 device 800. Further, the information existing in each area can be read out by other 1394 devices so long as the information is not limited by the 1394 device 800.

[0007] An icon X as an icon representing the 1394 device 800 is stored in a predetermined area of the unit space 8034. A controller 820 for remotely controlling the 1394 device 800 can read out the icon X from the unit space 8034 and display as the icon representing the 1394 device 800.

[0008] However, in the conventional 1394 device 800, the icon X in the unit space 8034 could not be changed to another icon. Thus, if the controller 820 displays icons of two 1394 devices 800, two icons having the same design are displayed, and, thus, a problem that a relationship between the icon and the 1394 device is hard to be understood will occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-described drawbacks.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to permit the user to change an icon representing an electronic device and held by the device to an icon selected by the user.

[0011] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device having an address space which can be accessed by another electronic device, the electronic device comprising changing means for selecting one icon from a plurality of icons and for changing an icon in the address space to the selected icon.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an icon changing method for changing an icon in an electronic device having an address space which can be accessed by another electronic device, the method comprising the steps of selecting one icon from a plurality of icons and changing an icon in the address space to the selected icon.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device having an address space which can be addressed by another electronic device, the electronic device comprising icon generating means for generating a new icon from still image data selected by the user and changing means for changing an icon in the address space to the new icon.

[0014] According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an icon changing method for changing an icon in an electric device having an address space which can be accessed by another electronic device, the method comprising the steps of generating a new icon from still image data selected by the user and changing an icon in the address space to the new icon.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device having an address space which can be addressed by another electronic device, the electronic device comprising icon generating means for generating a new icon from still image data photo-taken by the user and changing means for changing an icon in the address space to the new icon.

[0016] According to a still further preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an icon changing method for changing an icon in an electric device having an address space which can be accessed by another electronic device, the method comprising the steps of generating a new icon from still image data photo-taken by the user and changing an icon in the address space to the new icon.

[0017] The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a view for schematically showing a 1394 device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a flow chart for showing a processing procedure of icon changing processing A;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a flow chart for showing a processing procedure of icon changing processing B;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a flow chart for showing a processing procedure of icon changing processing C;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a view for showing an example of a remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a view for showing another example of a remote control system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a view for showing a further example of a remote control system according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025]FIG. 8 is a view for showing a conventional remote control system for remotely controlling a 1394 device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The present invention will now be explained in connection with preferred embodiments thereof with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0027] First of all, a summary of a 1394 device 100 as an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. In this embodiment, while an example that the 1394 device is an image photo-taking apparatus such as a digital video camera, a digital camera or the like will be explained, the 1394 device may be other device.

[0028] A digital interface 101 is a digital interface conforming to IEEE Std 1394-1995 and IEEE Std 1394a-2000. The IEEE Std 1394-1995 is one of standards regarding a serial bus and IEEE Std 1394a-2000 is an expansion standard of the IEEE Std 1394-1995.

[0029] A memory 102 is a memory for storing information within a register space 103 stipulated in ISO/IEC 13213:1994. The register space 103 is an address space assigned to the 1394 device 100 and is divided into CRS architecture registers 1031, bus-independent registers 1032, a configuration ROM 1033 and a unit space 1034. These areas can be accessed by other 1394 devices so long as the areas are not limited by the 1394 device 100. Further, the information existing in each area can be read out by other 1394 devices so long as the information is not limited by the 1394 device 100.

[0030] An icon X as an icon representing the 1394 device 100 is stored in a predetermined area of the unit space 1034. A controller for remotely controlling the 1394 device 100 can read out the icon X and display this icon as the icon representing the 1394 device 100.

[0031] An icon memory 104 is a memory for storing a plurality of icons. An icon generation unit 105 serves to generate a new icon from still image data selected by the user or still image data photo-taken by the user.

[0032] A camera unit 106 serves to generate the still image data from an optical image of a photographic subject in accordance with photo-taking instruction from the user. A record reproduction unit 107 has a function for recording the still image data generated by the camera unit 106 into removable media 108 and a function for reproducing still image data corresponding to a thumbnail image selected by the user from the removable media 108. The removable media 108 may be a memory card or a photo magnetic disk.

[0033] A display unit 109 has a function for displaying the still image data generated in the camera unit 106 and a function for displaying the thumbnail image or the still image data reproduced from the removable media 108.

[0034] A control unit 110 has a microcomputer and a memory. A control program for controlling various functions of the 1394 device 100 is stored in the memory of the control unit 110. A control program for controlling processing procedures shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 is also stored in the memory of the control unit 110.

[0035] An operation unit 111 serves to inform the control unit 110 of the user's instruction. In the operation unit 111, an operation regarding photo-taking, an operation regarding reproduction, an operation for changing the icon representing the 1394 device 100 and held by the 1394 device 100 and the like can be performed. Further, in the operation unit 111, an operation for turning ON or OFF an icon changing mode A, an icon changing mode B or an icon changing mode C can also be performed.

[0036] Next, a processing procedure of icon changing processing which can be executed by the 1394 device 100 will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. Icon changing processing A is processing for changing the icon representing the 1394 device 100 and held by the 1394 device 100 to an icon selected from a plurality of icons in the icon memory 104. Incidentally, the icon changing processing A shown in FIG. 2 is processing executed when the icon changing mode A is turned ON.

[0037] Step S201: The control unit 110 reads out N (N is integral number equal to or greater than 1) icons stored in the icon memory 104 and indicates the read out N icons on. the display unit 109 by list.

[0038] Step S202: The control unit 110 inquires to the user whether or not the icon X in the memory space 1034 may be changed to an icon A as the icon selected by the user. If the icon X is changed to the icon A, the control unit 110 goes to a step S203. On the other hand, if the icon X is not changed to the icon A, the control unit 110 is returned to the step S201.

[0039] Step S203: The control unit 110 reads out the icon A from the icon memory 104 and changes the icon X in the unit space 1034 to an icon C. By such changing, the icon representing the 1394 device 100 becomes the icon A, and, as shown in FIG. 5, the icon A is displayed on the controller 120 for remotely controlling the 1394 device 100.

[0040] By the processing procedure shown in FIG. 2, since the 1394 device 100 can change the icon representing the 1394 device 100 to the icon selected by the user, distinction of the 1394 device 100 can be facilitated. As a result, inconvenience that a correspondence relationship between the icon and the 1394 device becomes hard to be understood can be solved.

[0041] Next, a processing procedure of icon changing processing B which can be executed by the 1394 device 100 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. Icon changing processing B is processing for changing the icon representing the 1394 device 100 and held by the 1394 device 100 to a new icon generated from still image data selected by the user. Incidentally, the icon changing processing B shown in FIG. 3 is processing executed when the icon changing mode B is turned ON.

[0042] Step S301: The record reproduction unit 107 reads out N (N is integral number equal to or greater than 1) thumbnail images of the still image data from the removable media 105. The control unit 110 indicates the N thumbnail images read out by the record reproduction unit 107 on the display unit 109 by list. The user manipulates the operation unit 111 to select a thumbnail image corresponding to desired still image data.

[0043] Step S302: The record reproduction unit 107 reads out still image data corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user from the removable media 105 and supplies the read out still image data to the icon generation unit 105. The icon generation unit 105 generates an icon B as a new icon from the still image data.

[0044] Step S303: The control unit 110 inquires to the user whether or not the icon X in the memory space 1034 is changed to the icon B. If the icon X is changed to the icon B, the control unit 110 goes to a step S304. On the other hand, if the icon X is not changed to the icon B, the control unit 110 is returned to the step S301.

[0045] Step S304: The control unit 110 changes the icon X in the memory space 1034 to the icon B. By such changing, the icon representing the 1394 device 100 becomes the icon B, and, as shown in FIG. 6, the icon B is displayed on the controller 120 for remotely controlling the 1394 device 100.

[0046] Step S305: The control unit 110 registers the icon B generated by the icon generation unit 105 in the icon memory 104.

[0047] By the processing procedure shown in FIG. 3, since the 1394 device 100 can generate the new icon B from the still image data selected by the user and register the generated icon B in the icon memory 104, the kind of icons representing the 1394 device 100 can easily be increased. Further, at the same time when the icon B is registered in the icon memory 104, the icon in the unit space 1034 can be changed to the icon B.

[0048] Next, a processing procedure of icon changing processing C which can be executed by the 1394 device 100 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. Icon changing processing C is processing for changing the icon representing the 1394 device 100 and held by the 1394 device 100 to a new icon generated from still image data photo-taken by the user. Incidentally, the icon changing processing C shown in FIG. 4 is processing to be executed when the icon changing mode C is turned ON.

[0049] Step S401: The user manipulates the operation unit 111 to photo-take a desired photographic subject. The camera unit 106 generates still image data of the photographic subject photo-taken by the user and supplies the generated still image data to the icon generation unit 105. The icon generation unit 105 generates an icon C as a new icon from the still image data generated in the camera unit 106.

[0050] Step S402: The control unit 110 inquires to the user whether or not the icon X in the memory space 1034 is changed to the icon C. If the icon X is changed to the icon C, the control unit 110 goes to a step S403. On the other hand, if the icon X is not changed to the icon C, the control unit 110 is returned to the step S401.

[0051] Step S403: The control unit 110 changes the icon X in the memory space 1034 to the icon C. By such changing, the icon representing the 1394 device 100 becomes the icon C, and, as shown in FIG. 7, the icon C is displayed on the controller 120 for remotely controlling the 1394 device 100.

[0052] Step S404: The control unit 110 registers the icon C generated by the icon generation unit 105 in the icon memory 104.

[0053] By the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4, since the 1394 device 100 can generate the new icon C from the still image data photo-taken by the user and register the generated icon C in the icon memory 104, the kind of icons representing the 1394 device 100 can easily be increased. Further, at the same time when the icon C is registered in the icon memory 104, the icon in the unit space 1034 can be changed to the icon C.

[0054] As mentioned above, according to the 1394 device 100 of the illustrated embodiment, since the icon representing the 1394 device 100 can be changed to the icon selected by the user, distinction of the 1394 device 100 can be facilitated, and inconvenience that a correspondence relationship between the icon and the 1394 device becomes hard to be understood can be solved.

[0055] Further, according to the 1394 device 100 of the illustrated embodiment, since the new icon B can be generated from the still image data selected by the user and the generated icon B can be registered in the icon memory 104, the kind of icons representing the 1394 device 100 can easily be increased. Further, at the same time when the icon B is registered in the icon memory 104, the icon in the unit space 1034 can be changed to the icon B.

[0056] Further, according to the 1394 device 100 of the illustrated embodiment, since the new icon C can be generated from the still image data photo-taken by the user and the generated icon C can be registered in the icon memory 104, the kind of icons representing the 1394 device 100 can easily be increased. Further, at the same time when the icon C is registered in the icon memory 104, the icon in the unit space 1034 can be changed to the icon C.

[0057] The above-described preferred embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, and are not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0058] The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims, and is not limited to only the specific descriptions in this specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes belonging to equivalents of the claims are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device having an address space which can be addressed by another electronic device, said electronic device comprising: changing means for selecting one icon from a plurality of icons and for changing an icon in the address space to the selected icon.
 2. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the address space is a register space stipulated by ISO/IEC 13213:1994.
 3. An icon changing method for changing an icon in an electronic device having an address space which can be accessed by another electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: selecting one icon from a plurality of icons; and changing an icon in the address space to the selected icon.
 4. An icon changing method according to claim 3, wherein the address space is a register space stipulated by ISO/IEC 13213:1994.
 5. An electronic device having an address space which can be addressed by another electronic device, said electronic device comprising: icon generating means for generating a new icon from still image data selected by the user; and changing means for changing an icon in the address space to the new icon.
 6. An electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the address space is a register space stipulated by ISO/IEC 13213:1994.
 7. An icon changing method for changing an icon in an electric device having an address space which can be accessed by another electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: generating a new icon from still image data selected by the user; and changing an icon in the address space to the new icon.
 8. An icon changing method according to claim 7, wherein the address space is a register space stipulated by ISO/IEC 13213:1994.
 9. An electronic device having an address space which can be addressed by another electronic device, said electronic device comprising: icon generating means for generating a new icon from still image data photo-taken by the user; and changing means for changing an icon in the address space to the new icon.
 10. An electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the address space is a register space stipulated by ISO/IEC 13213:1994.
 11. An icon changing method for changing an icon in an electric device having an address space which can be accessed by another electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: generating a new icon from still image data photo-taken by the user; and changing an icon in the address space to the new icon.
 12. An icon changing method according to claim 11, wherein the address space is a register space stipulated by ISO/IEC 13213:1994. 